By Megan Ray Nichols • STEM Writer | schooledbyscience.com Conveyor belts have existed since the late 18th century and have carried nearly every product in the world. The first iterations used leather belts running on wooden rollers to move goods onto ships in port. Nearly all modern iterations use motors instead of hand cranks and […]
Integrated Motion Systems
Unidrive DFS free-standing drives now available from Control Techniques
Users of high-power drives can now receive pre-engineered ready-made drive enclosure systems in as little as one day for emergency breakdowns — via Control Techniques’ Drive Free Standing (DFS) Series. Mission-critical machines and project timelines are supported with rapid deployment capabilities of select factory stocked units, as well as industry best leadtimes across the power […]
High-precision vertical elevator stages
Optimal Engineering Systems Inc. (OES) has released two new high precision Z-Axis Elevator Stages. The AZV9010 and the AZV9020 Motorized Z-Axis Linear Positioning Stages have vertical travels of 10 mm and 20 mm respectively. The vertical motion of each Z-Axis Stage is driven by an 8-mm diameter ball screw with a 1-mm lead, and guided by […]
Single-acting, centric clamping vises for pallet systems from SCHUNK
SCHUNK further expands its standard program with the affordable SCHUNK KONTEC KSC-F single-acting clamping vises with a fixed jaw. It has quick adjustment of the clamping range, flat design and a low weight – perfect conditions for an unmanned workpiece handling on pallet systems. The three sizes KSC-F 80, KSC-F 125, KSC-F 160 are particularly […]
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS gearmotors and drives support IIoT installations
Intelligent drive technology is key to digitalization and production automation, because it enables networked and autonomous production processes in smart factories. Here, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS supplies drive solutions (hardware and software) and communications and application support for Industry 4.0 environments. NORD DRIVESYSTEMS drive units support intelligent IIoT digitalized production with advanced maintenance services. The industrial motor […]
Beckhoff introducing XTS, EtherCAT G, and TwinCAT Vision to the U.S. at Pack Expo
To revolutionize packaging machine flexibility, scalability and energy efficiency, Beckhoff Automation will launch the eXtended Transport System (XTS) into the U.S. market at Pack Expo 2019 in Las Vegas. Visitors to booth LS-6149 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s lower south hall will also experience the North American debut of TwinCAT Vision software, which introduces […]
eXtended Transport System (XTS) linear transport systems and mechatronics from Beckhoff
The eXtended Transport System (XTS) from Beckhoff Automation is now available in the U.S. The EtherCAT-enabled XTS offers paradigm-shifting capabilities for motion control and mechatronics by combining the advantages of proven rotary and linear motion principles into a new modular platform. With its compact and flexible design, the advanced mechatronic system can reduce machine footprint […]
Control-software portability with IEC 61131-3: How reusable are XML files?
Say an engineering team wants to switch their design’s PLC from one model to another — a relatively infrequent but ordinary specification decision. How well do XML files really work for importing and exporting? How much are component manufacturers really motivated to make that work … and not lock engineers onto one specific hardware? Engineers […]
New servo actuators feature dual absolute encoder, panel mount connectors
Harmonic Drive has introduced new dual absolute encoder versions of the FHA-C mini actuator featuring BiSS-C bi-directional communication for both encoders. The dual encoders are incorporated in essentially the same package size as the long-standing FHA-C mini single incremental encoder version. Without increasing the size, the dual absolute encoder offers single-turn absolute position at the […]
Motion control and motor market sees slight decline in Q1 2019 versus Q1 2018
The global motion control and motor market saw a 0.2% decline in shipments in the first quarter of 2019 versus the same period last year, down to $952.3 million. However, according to the Motion Control & Motor Association, part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), shipments were up 0.6% ($6 million) compared to the […]